Tongs



Aug. 10, 1943. a S PETE S 2,326,676

TONGS Filed April 2, 1942 Patented Ari 19, 12 E43- 1 entree stares -'IONGS George S. Peters, Ev

Appiicatioh April 2, 1942,

This invention relates to tones and partied larly to clinker. tongs for 1' moving clinkers from the fire bed of sicker-fired cal-burning domestic furnaces and the like.

Clinker tones heretofore constructed have like, and a further object is to avoid or substantially eliminate undesired piercing, breaking or.

splitting of clinkers in the course I of th clinker removing operations.

Further objects related to-the foregoing are to reduce the eiiort required in removing clinkers from thefire bed of a domestic furnace or the like; to enable clinker tongs to be used easily comider to be, the best. mode inwhich I have cor einplated' applying that principle. Other" embodiments of "the invention employing the or'equivalent principle may housed and conveniently for loosening clinkers from "the balance of the fire bed; and to provide forefficient and convenient applicationoi the operating and manipulating forces to the clinker tongs during the clinker loosening and clinker removing operations.

In clinker'tongsias heretoforefnsed it has been necessary to apply substantial clamping forces to be understood. that orin other words, from the time when theclinke-r is lifted fromjth-e fire bed until the clinker is dropped into the usual ash receiver. The nec'es sity for the application of a continuous clamping force to the clinker has rendered the clinker removing operation unduly tiresome, and hasalso tendedto cause splittingof the clinkers in the course of the removingcp'eratien. In'vieiv of the foregoing, another object of this invention is to enable the clinker tongsto support the clinker freely with a shovel-like action and Without the application of objectionable gripping Ol creel-ling io-rces thereto during th major portion of the clinker removing operation, and particularly it is hes-e are capable of structural changes mayhe made Ias desired'by those-skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the ppended claims. v 'l nthedrawing: i I l Fig. 1 is a perspective view of aclinker tongs embodying the ieaturesof the invention, the parts' being shown in the relation in which theyare positioned during a clinker loosening operation;

Fig. 2 is aperspective' viewshowing the Q1Zmp' ing means of the tongs: in pesitiontokernoved intoclarnping relation to a clinker;

Fig, 3 is a perspective view showing the tongs after a clinker has-heen clamped therehm Fig-, is a pe'rspeetive-view showingfthe tongs I after the clinker; has been manipulated to positionon the tongsjfor rerno val from the furnace;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustratingthe manner of discharge of a clinker from the tongs; and I i .Fig. 6 is a plan View taken along the line 6-8 andshowing the manner in'whi'ch the clinker is clamped in the tongs, and themanner" in, which 7 it is freely supported during removal from; the furnace.-

In the forin chosen for disclosure herein the invention is emhodicdin a clinker tongs-having an elongated-body member or handle shaft It! adapted to hegrasped adjacent to o-nefend by the user to manipulate relatively movable clinker engaging eleinents'which are disposed'at the other end of the shaft, these clinker 'eng ag ing'elea ments are so formed and related to each, other and to the handle shaft it} as to be adapted to cooperate as a clinker engaging means at certain'times int-he use 01 the device, While at other an; object to enable the clinker tones to so supthese clinker engaging elements may be utilizedto loosen the clinkerand separate the same from the fire bed; and in addition, certain of the clinker engaging elements are so constituted and; arranged that clamping pressure upon the clinker is required for but short periodfaft'er which at least certain portions of these last mentioned clinker engagingelements may servetofr'eely support the clinker witha, cradling or s'l lovellike action and without the application of clampin or piercing forces theretosuch; as might tend tofbreak the clinker and 0 use; it toxbe dropped fromthe-tongs. f v lhe handle shaft preferably comprises two elongated members which maybe grasped by the user at spaced points near one end thereof to manipulate the tongs as a whole as well as to manipulate the clinker engaging elements carried by the other ends of these members. Thus the handle shaft as herein shown, comprises an elongated round rod IS surrounded by an elongated tubular member or sleeve I2, and the two members II and I2 are so related that the sleeve I2 may be rotated about the axis of the rod II, or may be shifted longitudinally of the rod. At one of its ends the rod II is bent to an elongated loop formation which affords a handle I3 projecting radially with respect to the axis of the rod II. In the use of the clinker tongs this handle I3 is grasped by one hand of the user, while the other hand of the user grasps an enlarged sleeve-like handle I4 made from Wood or like material and secured on the sleeve I2 in spaced relation to the handle I3.

The clinker engaging elementsof the present T-shaped form, and the cross member 25 is so disposed that when the clamping member I6 is located in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cross member 25 moves toward the adjacent side faces of the end portions 2! of the tines I5.

I The relation of the cross member 25 to the sleeve I2 is such that in a clamping movement from the released position shown in Fig. 2 to the clamped position of Fig. 3, the cross member 25 may be located substantially perpendicular to the end portions 2| of the tines I5.

The cross member 25 is so formed and constructed that a clamping operation thereof will not ordinarily tend to stress a clinker with a clinker tongs are mounted on the other ends of the elongated members I I and I2 formanipulaltion thereby, and as herein shown the rod II has a pair of diverging tines-l5 thereon against which a clinker C may be clamped by aelamping mem ber I6 mounted on the sleeve I2 and manipulated and clamped by movement of the sleeve I2 relative to the rod H. The tines I5,in accordance with the present invention,'are so forfnec andarranged with relation ,to eachother and with relation to the handle shaft, IQ and the clamping member l6 that the tines I5 may serve a variety of functions which materially simplify the removal of clinkers from the fire bed and from the furnace. Thus the tines I5 ar secured at IT to the end'of the rod I I, as by welding, and from this juncture the tines I5 preferably extend in-diverging directions from the axis of the rod II; asindicated at I8 in Fig. 6, to thereby attain aninitial spacing of the tines at'the base portions I8 thereof, V

The tines I5 are then extended from thebase portions I8 thereof so as to diverge symmetrical ly throughout their intermediate portions IS,

and thediverging portionslt may be located in a plane which includes the axisof the rod I I, or may be located, as in the present forrn,' in a plane which is at a slight angle to the axis of the rod II. The diverging intermediate portion I9 of the tines I5 are of substantiallengtnand merge with curved portions 20 of the tines,'and

these curved portions are substantially similar bed. I

The clamping member IE1 is preferably arranged to provide a broad and relatively large area surface for clamping engagement with the clinker; thereby to avoid piercing or splitting of theclinker, and to this end the clamping memher-I6 comprises a rod 23 secured at one end as bya welded joint 24 to the sleeve 52 and having a cross bar 25- secured as by welding upon its other end. The-rod 23 is bent so as to extend outwardly'from the sleeve I2, and is then bent so as to extend substantially parallel to the sleeve I2 and generally toward the tines I5. The clamp; ing member I 6 is thereby made of a generally tions 2 beam-like action between the two end portions iii of the tines, and the cross 25 is therefore made of a length which is substantially equal to distance between the end portions 2i of the tines, as will be evident in Fig, 6 of the drawing. Thus the clamping member it has a broad bearing area which, through longitudinal shifting .movement of the sleeve I2 with respect to the,

rod Ii, may be brought to bear on side of a clinker C, and by such clamping action the clamping member 56 presses the other side of the clinker against the side faces of the perof the ines I5. Such clamping is accomplished without application of breaking or bending forces to the clinker and Without the use of sharp engaging surfaces or points which migh tend to pierce or split the clinker. 7

The construction and arrangement of the clinker tongs as thus described enables a user to loosen a clinkerirom the fire bed and to remove the ame from the furnace with unusual ease and convenieneafor the present clinkertongs may be manipulated to loosen the clinker and to clamp the clinker position the same on the shovellike support afforded by the spaced tines I5, as shown in Fig, 4, aiter'which the user may readily withdraw the clinker from thefurnace with the clinker supported freely upon the tines I5. Thus the userr may grasp the handles I3 and I I with the right'and' left hands, respectively; and

through rotation of the sleeve I2, may locate the clamp I 8 in an out-of-the-way position as shown in l,rto'therehyexpose thetines I5 for insertion into thefir'e bed. With the tool thus grasped; the spacing of'the handles I3 and I4 facilitates proper "manipulation and insures proper and efiicient application of forces to the tongsin the clinker loosening ,as well as in the clinker clamping and removing operations.

The tool is used in the position or relation shown in Fig.1 to loosen the clinker and move thev clinker into an elevated position on or in the fire bed, thereby to enable opposite sides of the clinker to be engaged readily by the tongs,

and the sleeveIZ is then rotated to the positioned-shown in Fig. 2, to thereby locate the clampingimember I6 in position for clamping the -clinker against the tines l5. During such rotation it will be observed that the sleeve I2 is withdrawn toward or to its most outward position which is limited by engagement of the outer end with the handle I3, such endwise may be split and nace with the minimum of other end at aeaaere' ment at; the diets; is maintained. the entire qlinlser tongs struetnre and-thee ink r d mned thereby are retated eeeerallx aheatthe arieq the han le- Ul; berebu o nesit oni e the seated ntermediat has os tieaedl damn ng:- terse exerted th reon I M e rn-shown in 4. nd a the eli ker'is tbencradl d eon the waste tines t in the .me as seen a shaker ould ateen-ed n: a he elerie a here' is, however, n. additipnai su por ing and'nesitionL e; a ion exe ediat th s ime bath and so ets e th ta it will: be seen that during time ast handle sha t l slates .l l. y' nto the ar net th reon-portion of the ti e ser e o main ain. t e clinker W th the, a Q'tlnnsunnor ed upon the times it the tos, an the elin ser carried-there m y be ithdrawn from thexfnrnaee. and the d nner I- b "d s har ed to the ash is: ceirer s nlhlx bx rota ies the ielinker tongs ,e nesitien in ii .Since. the @lillk: need not, he; clamped during the removing operation, there is no danger that the clinker dropped. Moreover, thespacing of the handles 13 and I4 enables the tool to be manipulated easily and accurately,rthereby simplifying the removal of the clinkers.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the present invention enables clinkers to be loosened and removed from the fire bed of, a fureffort. It will also be that breaking of the clinkers during the removing operation is substantially eliminated, thereby obviating one of the most objectionable features of clinker removing operations.

Hence, while I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification and I therefore do ,1

not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to availmyself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims: 1

I claim:

1. In clinker tongs, an elongated handle shaft adapted to be having a pair grasped at one end by a user and of spaced tines extending from said a slight angle to the longitudinal axis of said handle and then bent to extend at their end portions at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to said axis whereby said end portions of said tines may be used to loosen a clinker from a fire bed when said handle shaft is extended inwardly and downwardly through a furnace door and into the fire box of such a furnace, clamping means on said handle shaft shiftable to an unclamped relation clamping means will clear the fire bed during such a clinker loosening operation, and means I e released; or materially wherein said said- 'elfl eanfiedimembfeb op osite from the side linen; Which-i said parallel. en

her to rest he 'elinh rwQn-said tines V 3. Inclinker tongs; an: elcnaakted handleshaft adapted to begrasned atone end by; a userand baring a new, (if-spaced tines extending from said :215 other end slight angle. tame longitudinal axis. rv saidihandle shaft. and then bent-steer;-

t nd a their endsportions at anang a of annroxie mately nmety'degrees to; said axis wherebyisaid end portions of said tines maybe used to loosen 30 a clinkerfrom -a fire bed, clamping means on ing a pair of tines at one end thereof extending in spaced relation to each other for a substantial distance at a gradually increasing angle with re- 60 5. Clinker tongs of the character described comprising, in combination, an elongated handle shaft structurecomprising an elongated rod and an elongated sleeve mounted for sliding and r0- tative movement on said rod, said rod and said sleeve being adapted to be grasped at one end by a user and said rod having a pair of spaced tines extending from said other end thereof in a generally longitudinal directionwith respectto the axis of said rod and then bent to extend at their degrees to'said axis whereby said'end portions of said tines may be used to loosen a clinker from a fire bed when said handle shaft is extended inwardly and downwardly through a furnace door 5 and into the fire box of such'a' furnace, and

naetive rwsition: o the side of portion of said time are disposed-endinto Qneosedclemnina re ation with respect and, portions: of time and; movable th ou ha clamping-movelative to said tinesj I azcl nker clamped s betweensaid tines andsaidchmn; member may so b rotated abqn theof eaidielongated mem- C e th int rmediate penises; I19 of the t nes.

end portions at an angle of approximately ninety the side surfaces of said end portions of said tines whereby said tongs and the clinker may be rotated about said axis of said handle shaft to rest the clinker on the spaced intermediate portions of said tines for convenient removal from the furnace. Y

6. In clinker tongs, an elongated member having a pair of tines atone end thereof extendingv in spaced relation to each other for a substantial distance at a gradually diverging angle with respect to'the longitudinal axis of said member and terminating in substantially parallel end portions extending substantially perpendicular to said axis, a clamp member mounted on said elongated member for shifting movement int-0' opposed clamping relation with'respect to said end portions of said tines, said clamping member having a transverse clamping bar at its ends adapted to be disposed substantially perpendicular to'the endportions of said tines and movable through a clamping movement in a'direction toward and ber having a pair substantially perpendicular-to the direction of extent of said end portions ofsaid tines, and means on said elongated member adjacent to the other end thereof for manipulating said tines and for operating said clamping member.

- 7. A clinker tongs of the character described comprising, in combination, anelongated memof tines at one end thereof extending'in'spaced relation-to each other for a substantial-distance and terminating in substantially parallel end portions extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said member, an operating sleeve mounted rotatably and 'slidably on said elongated member, a

T-shaped clamp member mounted on one end of said operating sleeve for shifting movement therewith through a clamping movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the directionof extent of said end portions of said tines to move the cross portion of said T-shaped clamp member into clamping relation to said end portions of said tines, operating means on said elongated memberadjacent' to the other end thereof for manipulating said tines, and means on the other end of said sleeve in substantially spaced relation to said operating means'for shifting said clamping T-shaped member relative to said tines.

GEORGE S. PETERS. 

